Closure of Caerphilly restaurant leaves local support group in limbo

Brewers Fayre in Caerphilly is set to close, its parent company has announced – leaving a local support group in limbo.

Located near Gallagher Retail Park, the Crossways venue is one of 197 Brewers Fayre and Beefeater sites across the UK set to shut.

Whitbread, which owns the brands, as well as Premier Inn, said the decision was made due to ongoing cost pressures and a strategic focus on “funding future growth”.

The decision is part of a plan to achieve £250 million in savings.

Whitbread confirmed the proposed cuts to its 30,000‑strong workforce remains subject to employee consultation, adding that it expects to retain a considerable number of affected staff through redeployment.

The firm’s previous restructuring programme, launched in 2024, resulted in around 1,500 redundancies. Despite the cutbacks, Whitbread still intends to increase its total hotel room count to 96,000 by the 2031 financial year, up from the current figure of approximately 86,600.

As a replacement for the 197 closing restaurants, Whitbread plans to introduce a new “integrated food and drink system”, meaning Premier Inn hotels will provide one consistent food and drink service for all guests.

According to Whitbread, this change is based on guest feedback, with many visitors seeking a simpler and faster service. The model is also expected to reduce overheads and staffing costs.

Jeni Spinks is a member of Caerphilly-based Neuro Guard, which runs a fortnightly coffee morning at the Brewers Fayre on Crossways.

Neuro Guard has more than 600 members on its Facebook page and welcomes at least ten parents of neurodiverse children every other Monday at the Brewers Fayre.

Discussing its closure, Ms Spinks said: “It is a shame, as it was perfect for us. Now we need to find a new venue and probably get new funding.

“Brewers Fayre have been brilliant for us. It has soft play, which is ideal for the kids during half-term, as it gives them a place to have fun whilst also being safe.”

A date for the pub restaurant’s closure has yet to be announced.